Closure mechanism



Oct. 16, 1956 R. B. POTTER 2,766,822

CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed May 19, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Ralph B. pofler Oct. 16, 1956 R. B. POTTER 2,766,322

CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed May 19, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

O 16, 1 R. B. POTTER CLOSURE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 19, 1951.

INVENTOR. Ralph B. potter BY gzwL Qfl Oct. 16, 1956 R. B. POTTER CLOSURE MECHANISM INVENTOR. Ralph B. Ptter 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 19, 1951 United States Patent CLOSURE MECHANISM Ralph B. Potter, Boulder, Colo.

Application May 19, 1951, Serial No. 227,128

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-201) My invention relates to closure mechanisms particularly adaptable for use with refrigerators and like devices, but also having general applicability in the arts.

Closures for refrigerators in general consist of a conventional type of door of such dimensions that when opened the entire interior of the refrigerator is exposed. Such an arrangement has many disadvantages. It is a common practice, for example, to provide refrigerator doors opening either to the left or to the right, and this adds. to manufacturing costs and introduces problems in distribution in that dealers, to satisfy demands, frequently must carry both types. The large swinging door also takes space in a small kitchen, even though the refrigerator may be installed so that the door will swing out of the way. Opening a large door also has the efiect of: producing a. swirling action of air so that a large proportion of the air contained within the refrigerator is replaced by room air. Repeated openings of the door therefore result in a loss of refrigeration and also in the introduction of moisture in excessive amounts;

The: principal object of my invention is the provision of a .closuremechanism for refrigerators or the like which will overcome objections of the type discussed hereinabove.

Another object is the provision of an improved closure mechanism which has suitable insulation and sealing properties.

Still another object is the provision of a closure mechanism which requires relatively little space and possesses the other advantages referred to in the preceding object.

A still further object is the provision of a closure mechaof such character that it may be only partly opened while still furnishing sufiicient access to an interior which may be closed thereby.

,Otherspecific objects and features of the invention will be brought out in connection with the following detailed descriptions takenwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

, Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a conventional type of refrigerator equipped with the closure mechanism of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view looking to the side and partly to the front of such a refrigerator, the closure being partly opened to indicate the manner of its operation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, with the middle portion partially broken away to conserve space.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line- 4'=4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, with a portion broken away to conserve space.

Pig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55'ofFig. 4'looki-ngin the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is anenlarged sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, but with the closure partly lowered in order to show the manner in which the closure members will be stacked when in lowermost position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to that portion of Fig. 6 shown in elevation, but with the parts in a modified position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the closure mechanism removed from the refregerator.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10'10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a modified construction.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line'1-212 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-l13 of Fig. 12.

In general the closure mechanism of my invention comprises a plurality of panels linked together and supported in side channels in such a way as to be wedged together and form a tight closure in the nature of a door, but adapted when moved vertically to separate for storage in a relatively small space. Preferably the closure comprising the panels moves upwardly to .closed position and downwardly in the open position, the panels being adapted to nest in a general face to-face relationship in a relatively small area below the opening in the container such as a refrigerator with which the closure mechanism is used.

in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, I provide a number of panels 16 of general rhomboid cross section with top and bottom panels 17 and 18, respectively, somewhat modified for reasons which will be apparent. The panels are adapted to be moved vertically in channels in the front face of a refrigerator, by means of a suitable handle 19 with which may be associated any suitable conventional locking mechanism (not shown).

While the closure mechanism of my invention is not limited to use on a refrigerator, I have shown it associated with a conventional form of refrigerator box modified in structure only sufficiently to suit the requirements of the modified closure mechanism. It will be understood, of course, that the particular structure of the container or other space-defining instrumen-ta'lity with which the closure mechanism of my invention is associated may take other forms which result in providing 'a suit-able mounting structure in which the panels and other parts of the mechanism may operate.

The refrigerator shown comprises outer and inner metal walls 21 and 22, respectively, with insulation 23 between them. Generally U-shaped channel members 24 are supported in the front opening. of the refrigerator at opposite sides thereof, and are secured to both the exterior and interior metal walls 21 and 22, respectively. The particular constructionv of the channel members 24 is such as would be formed by an extruding or rolling operation, and is not necessarily illustrative of the exact manner of its fabrication; It is shown as a single-piece member to facilitate disclosure of its features and functions.

Each of the panels 16,. 17, 18 is provided with an end shaft 26, and successive panels are secured together by a link structure such as shown in Fig. 10 andv comprising links 27 and 28 pivoted together at 29 and pivoted to the shafts 26 through openings 31 and 32. In the construction shown, the shafts 26 are part of a metal cap 33 on the ends of the panels, and. the position of the links 27 and 23 is determined by spacers 34' and 36, the

' latter fitting against a roller 37 held in. place by an upset portion 38 on the end of the shaft 26. As shown. particularly in Fig. 10, the link member has a stop 39" which engages against the side edge of the link member 27 and prevents complete extension of the links. This compels the link mechanism to close in only one direction for a reason which will be described.

Looking now particularly at Fig. 3, it will be seen that the channel members 24 comprise two main portions, namely, one. relatively largeportion which receives the capped ends of the panels, and one relatively small portion forming a guideway 41 for the rollers '37. Also lookingat Fig. 3, it will be seen that thechannel member 24' may be provided with a continuous spring 'strip 42 whichwill contribute to the clamping action which tightly holds the panels together even after long continued use.

While in general the linkage and panel arrangement is the same throughout from a functional standpoint, there are minor differences at top and bottom as already noted. As shown particularly in Fig. 4', the uppermost panel 17 is roundedv at the top to engage against a rubber sealing member 43. Also as shown particularly in Fig. 5, a special link 44 is pivoted to the uppermost shaft 26' and to it'is secured a cable 46 which is trained around a sheave 47 and has its other end secured to a counterweight 48. As Fig. 3 shows, the counterweight may travel in a well formed by a tubular member 49 supported within the metal walls 21 and 22. The lowermost panel 18 is of generally rectangular cross section at its lower edge, with the exception of a lip 51 which engages against a sealing member 52 at the bottom. While the slanting faces of the panels 16, 17, 18 may be finished to form an adequate air-tight seal, I prefer to insert a sealing member 53 supported and shaped generally as shown.

As Figs. 4 and indicate, that portion of the panel member 24 which receives the ends of the panels terminates at approximately the floor line of the container comprising the refrigerator as shown by the position of a bottom panel 54, this bottom panel terminating short of the front face of the refrigerator and leaving a transverse slot through which the panel assembly may be lowered. At the same general point at which this slot occurs, the roller guide channel 41 turns inwardly obliquely to form a slanting portion 56. are released from their confinement in a channel member 24 and are free to move down by gravity along the slanted guides 56 which hold therollers 37. Since the links can only move in one direction, they are caused to articulate in the manner shown in Fig. 6 and permit the panels to nest against each other with their Wide faces in engagement; that is to say, those faces of the rhomboids which comprise the front and back faces of the panel assembly engage against each other when the panels are disassembled in the nesting operation. Fig. 7 shows one position which the panels may take in the act of nesting, in which a panel is about to be released from the channel members 24; and Fig. 6 indicates the type of movement which occurs as this panel is moved down still farther to released position.

The manner of construction and operation of the closure mechanism of my invention should, in general, be understood from the preceding description. The panel members may be formed of any suitable material which will provide requisite strength and adequate insulation. They may to advantage be molded from many diiferent types of materials, and suitably may be formed of clear plastic with the obvious advantages thereof. In using a refrigerator equipped with a closure mechanism such as described, it is necessary to open the closure only to the extent needed to reach an article desired. For example, if something is wished which is on a top shelf, it is necessary to lower the closure only a few inches. The advantages of this arrangement are obvious. Even when it is necessary to open the closure fully, there is still a marked saving from the standpoint of space; and the usual turbulence caused by the opening of a swinging door is not encountered. Furthermore, as Fig. 1 indicates, a recess portion 57 may be provided to receive the handle '19 so that the closure may be lowered to a point where the top of panel 17 is flush with the bottom 54. ,Such full As the panels are lowered, they opening allows much greater access to the entire interior of the refrigerator than is at any time possible with a swinging door, and this unusual accessibility in no way affects deleteriously the other advantageous features previously referred to.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 11 to 13, I provide a number of panels 61 with a special panel 62 at the top secured together by cables 63 at opposite sides and normally held in compressed relation within the channel members 64. This panel arrangement may be counterweighted as indicated generally by the dotted lines in Fig. 11, and a bottom recess 66 is provided in which the panels may nest in the manner indicated in broken lines. Each of the panels carries a sealing member 67 which is caused to press against a contiguous portion of the next lower panel when the group of panels is in uppermost position. A suitable sealing member 68 is provided at the top, as in the first described embodiment.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 11 to lit-functions in the same general manner as that previously de: scribed, except for the nesting operation in which substantially only the shape and weight of the panels themselves are depended upon. Somewhat more space is needed in which to house the nested panels than in the first described embodiment, and there is therefore some limitation in its use. In general the nested panels must, lie substantially directly below the position which they occupy when functioning as a closure. In the case of the first 'de-. scribed embodiment, I have found that the portion 56 may be substantially horizontal and nesting can still be accomplished.

I have described two embodiments of my. invention in considerable detail so that those skilled in the art may understand the manner of practicing the same; but the scope of the invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A closure mechanism comprising means forming side channels each with a smaller channel-shaped guide portion, a plurality of panels having ends projecting into said channels, a single shaft projecting from each .end of each panel, articulated linkage between the panels, said linkage pivoted to said shafts, rollers on said shafts lying in said guide portion of said channels, said guide portion extending below that portion of the channels into which the panels project, and said extended guide portion being offset from the said channel portion, said panels'being of such shape and the said linkage being so arranged as'to overlap at least a portion of the'panels when in said channels, and said articulated linkage permitting said panels to store in face to face relation when said rollers are in said extended guide portion. r I V 2. A closure mechanism comprising means forming side channels each with a smaller channel-shaped guide-E portion, a plurality of panels having ends projecting into said channels, a single shaft projecting from each'end of each panel, articulated linkage between the panels,

said linkage pivoted to said shafts, rollers on said shafts lying in said guide portion of said channels, said guide portion extending below that portion of the channels into which the panels project, and said extended guide portion being offset from the said channel portion, said panels being of rhomboid cross section and forming a generally vertical continuous front closure surface when in said channels, but adapted to lie in face to face relation when said rollers are in said extended guide portion.

V 3. A closure member comprising. means forming a pair of vertical, mutually aligned channels with openings facing each other, a plurality of panels having ends projecting into said channels, links lying in said channels and connecting ends of said panels, said panels shaped to overlap each other when said links are fully extended and being so engaged in said channels as to be wedged together at said overlapping portions to form a tight closure, and said links being so constructed and arranged as to collapse and permit said panels to lie in face-to-face relation when moved to a position below said channels.

4. A closure member comprising mutually aligned means forming a pair of vertical channels with openings facing each other, a plurality of panels of generally rhomboid cross-section having ends projecting into said channels, links lying in said channels connecting ends of said panels and holding the same with slanting faces in overlapping relation and remaining faces substantially aligned, said channel causing said slanting faces to be wedged together to form a tight enclosure and said links being so constructed and arranged as to permit said panels to lie in face-to-face relation when moved to a position below said channels.

5. A closure member comprising a plurality of mutually overlappable panels, shaped, when so overlapped, to form a closure with a substantially plane surface, shafts projecting from each end of each such panel, a link structure comprising two links pivoted together at their ends and at opposite ends to adjacent panel shafts, said link structure including a stop to limit extensible movement so that the two links will always close about their said mutual pivot in the same direction, rollers on ends of said shafts, means forming vertical mutually aligned channels with openings facing each other into which the said ends of 5 the panels extend, said channels including a roller receiving portion, and said roller receiving portion extending at an angle below the said panel receiving portion, said overlapping portion of said panels being wedged together when in said channel, and said link structure permitting said panels to lie in face-to-face relation when lowered to a position where said rollers lie in angled roller-receiving position.

6. In a closure mechanism, means forming a pair of mutually aligned channels with openings facing each other, a plurality of panels having mutually overlapping portions and having their ends projecting into said channels, said overlapping portions of said panels being substantially as thick as the width of the channels so that engagement of the panel ends by the channels causes the said panels to be clamped tightly together at said overlapping portions to form a tight closure, collapsible link connections between the panels of such length as to hold the panels in overlapping relation while in the channels, said linked panels being bodily slidable as an assembly within the channels and out of the channels at ends thereof, and means for nesting the panels at ends of the channels when removed therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 702,146 McCloud June 10, 1902 1,697,772 Lewis Jan. 1, 1929 1,886,105 Juh'n Nov. 1, 1932 2,498,562 Long Feb. 21, 1950 2,577,884 Garubo Dec. 11, 1951 

